Starting A Compost Pile

When we think about growing quality fruits, vegetables, herbs etc…. it depends in part on one thing and that is the type of soil that we use to grow them. The soil is so important to plant life because plant life depends on the soil in order to grow healthy and be at its best to give us the results were looking for.

Garden compost

And a smart way to go about this is to create our own compost pile. Compost piles are created from natural products that we find right in our kitchens like portions of vegetables left over from Sunday dinner or it may be that banana peel from the banana which you use to make a banana smoothie or yet again it may be that onion skin which you peeled from that onion to make a salad.

Simply put compost is organic material that decomposes over a period of time to look like soil. Any vegetable or fruit left over can be used to make a compost pile.

How to create a compost pile

First off you will need a good shady location to start your compost pile. You will also need to purchase a compost pile box from your nursery or you can have a homemade one made. Next fill the bottom of the box with 6 – 8 inches of organic matter which could be hay, straw, brown leaves, sawdust, shredded paper, coffee ground or newspaper.

Avoid the following which can attract pests to your compost pile:

Meat remnants, bones, diseased plants, dog, cat, and pig manure.

Next add about four inches of green organic matter such as grass clippings, kitchen scraps like vegetables, fruits, and egg shells. You can also add chicken manure. On top of this add about two inches of soil then add some water. Repeat these layers along with adding water until you have a pile that is about three to four feet high.

Starting a compost pile

You can also add earthworms if you like to speed up the process

Yes, I know! pretty creepy and gross but guess what? These little guys are an added bonus to your garden to ensure that you get the kind of results you are looking for.

Within 2 -3 days, use a pitchfork and turn the pile thoroughly. Make sure to cover the top with a material that does not allow water to get in. This recommendation would be for the homemade compost bin. The one that you purchase from your nursery or hardware store comes complete.

Be patient you’re almost there!

Make sure to water your compost pile to keep it moist but not soggy. Turn the compost pile with a pitchfork thoroughly once every two weeks, this helps to aerate the compost pile which will speed up the process. The process is completed when you have dark brown rich soil that has an earthy smell.
This compost pile or dark rich gold will work wonders for you and your garden and you will be pleased to see how healthy your plants will be.

The benefits of creating a compost pile

Adding worms to compost

1. Adding compost to the soil will help the soil to retain water.

2. Compost will also help in proper drainage of the soil.

3. By adding compost to the soil you will have a soil rich in nutrients.

4. Your soil will be able to retain fertilizer much better.

5. The soil will be better able to circulate air for the plant.

6. Compost will improve soil texture.

7. Compost will improve the soil structure.

8. Reduces soil compaction.

9. Plant roots will establish more easily.

10. Prevents soil erosion.

Starting a compost pile

Compost pile finish product

Garden compost

The final word

These are just a few of the benefits of what compost can do for your soil. So a little work and a little patience is worth the wait. With that said let’s get started on that compost pile. Your plants will love you for it and you will reap the rich rewards.

Good morning Todd so nice to meet you thanks for those very kind words. Thanks also for the bookmark it is very encouraging to me. The garden of enden garden center was design with wonderful people like yourself in mind to make landscape and gardening fun. So continue to be my guest and visit my website as much as you would like. Glad that I could be of help to you and good luck on restarting your garden again.

Very thorough description of how to begin a compost pile. Have you ever heard that it is also good to add a few earthworms in the beginning to get things off to a good start? Being a gardener myself I know that composting is one of a gardener’s least favorite tasks, but it is one of the most rewarding. Compost is not just good for the garden; flowers love it too! Thanks for a great reminder of the proper way to start a compost pile.

This is really great information. My husband started our compost pile and I never thought to ask how he went about it. I did not realize there was a process to it. I am going to check in with him to see how he went about it. Composting is great for so many reasons and this will be great for helping people get started.

Good morning llyssa thanks for the follow and for those very kind words,Glad that I could help. Please do let others know about this website I would really appreciate that also, Thanks again and have a good day.